Hottest States For Green Jobs
Over the last decade, green jobs in the US have experienced red-hot growth, according to a new study by Pew Charitable Trusts.
The Clean Energy Economy report found green jobs grew at a pace nearly two-and-a-half times greater than overall jobs between 1998 and 2007, though they remain a tiny part of overall jobs.
Pew classifies green jobs as those involved in expanding clean energy production, increasing energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste and pollution, and conserving natural resources.
Click ahead to see which states have the highest percentage of green jobs, the most explosive green-job growth and the highest number of green businesses.
By Brooke Sopelsa
Posted 29 June 2009
10. Ohio
Green Jobs: 35,267
Percentage of Total Jobs: 0.56%
Avg. Annual Green Job Growth: 0.85%
Green Businesses: 2,513
Venture Capital Funds ('06-'08): $74M
Photo: A solar panel developed and manufactured by Xunlight, of Toledo, Ohio.
9. Pennsylvania
Green Jobs: 38,763
Percentage of Total Jobs: 0.59%
Avg. Annual Green Job Growth:-0.48%
Green Businesses: 2,934
Venture Capital Funds ('06-'08): $233M
8. Vermont
Green Jobs: 2,161
Percentage of Total Jobs: 0.59%
Avg. Annual Green Job Growth:1.69%
Green Businesses: 311
Venture Capital Funds ('06-'08): $54M
Photo: A customer using a credit card managed by Brighter Planet, of Middlebury, Vt., which manages credit cards that fund renewable energy projects with each purchase.
7. Idaho
Green Jobs: 4,517
Percentage of Total Jobs: 0.63%
Avg. Annual Green Job Growth:10.11%
Green Businesses: 428
Venture Capital Funds ('06-'08): $28M
Photo: A geothermal power generation facility designed and managed by US Geothermal, of Boise, Idaho.
6. Colorado
Green Jobs: 17,008
Percentage of Total Jobs: 0.64%
Avg. Annual Green Job Growth: 1.98%
Green Businesses: 1,778
Venture Capital Funds ('06-'08): $622M
Photo: A production facility at Fiberforge, of Glenwood Springs, Colo., which designs and produces advanced composite materials used in lightweight and energy-efficient vehicles.
5. Minnesota
Green Jobs: 19,994
Percentage of Total Jobs: 0.64%
Avg. Annual Green Job Growth: 1.38%
Green Businesses: 1,206
Venture Capital Funds ('06-'08): $50M
Photo: A wind farm development consultant working at WindLogics, in Saint Paul, Minn.
4. Massachusetts
Green Jobs: 26,678
Percentage of Total Jobs: 0.69%
Avg. Annual Green Job Growth: 0.52%
Green Businesses: 1,912
Venture Capital Funds ('06-'08): $1.28B
Photo: Batteries by A123, of Watertown, Mass., which develops and manufactures a range of batteries for electric utilities, transportation and portable electronics.
3. California
Green Jobs: 125,390
Percentage of Total Jobs: 0.71%
Avg. Annual Green Job Growth: 0.88%
Green Businesses: 10,209
Venture Capital Funds ('06-'08): $6.58B
Photo: An LED light designed and manufactured by Bridgelux, of Sunnyvale, Calif.
2. Maine
Green Jobs: 6,000
Percentage of Total Jobs: 0.85%
Avg. Annual Green Job Growth: 2.34%
Green Businesses: 725
Venture Capital Funds ('06-'08): $0
Photo: A Maine home using solar panels designed and installed by Talmage Solar Engineering, of Kennebunkport, Maine.
1. Oregon
Green Jobs: 19,340
Percentage of Total Jobs: 1.02%
Avg. Annual Green Job Growth: 4.77%
Green Businesses: 1,613
Venture Capital Funds ('06-'08): $70M
Photo: A wind turbine designed and constructed by Abundant Renewable Energy, of Newberg, Ore.
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